National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to Hold 15th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases will host the 15th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, May 7-9, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. This three-day conference presents high-quality, current reports of scientific progress via invited presentations and submitted abstracts. As the premier venue for cutting edge learning, effective data sharing and scientific collaboration on issues related to vaccines and immunization, the conference features international experts leading symposia and panel discussions on topical areas including immunology and epidemiology, product development, clinical studies, policies and regulation, and other aspects of vaccine research.

The conference begins on Monday, May 7 with a keynote presentation on Vaccine Discovery–A Varied Process by Stanley A. Plotkin, MD. On Tuesday, May 8, F. Marc LaForce, MD will present the Mary Lou Clements-Mann Memorial Lecture in Vaccine Sciences on Introduction of an Affordable Group A Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine in the African Meningitis Belt. The 2012 Robert Austrian Memorial Lecture will be given by Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MS and the Charles Merieux Award will be presented to Arnold S. Monto, MD at a luncheon on Tuesday, May 8.

Additional symposia will focus on Advances in Vaccine Discovery, Rotavirus Vaccines, Vaccines for Enteric Diseases and Food Safety, Vaccine Adjuvants, and Scientific Assessment of Vaccine Adverse Events. The conference will also feature scientific posters and an exhibit hall.

The International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS) will hold its meeting on the Potential Use of Biomarkers of Inflammation and of Early Immunological Events to Assess Vaccine Safety on May 10-11. In addition, the Sabin Vaccine Institute will present its Gold Medal Award to F. Marc LaForce, MD on the evening of Monday, May 7.